Young German Learner English (YGLE)

The project Young German Learner English: Complexity, Accuracy, Fluency, funded by the German Research Foundation (2023 - 2026; FU 1044/8-1) is a joint venture among the universities of Bamberg (PD Dr. Valentin Werner), Freiburg (Dr. Anna Rosen) and Bonn (Prof. Robert Fuchs). 

YGLE investigates the acquisition of English as a second language by German students. The project will create and analyze a database of spoken and written English from students in grades 5–12. In addition, we collect an extensive set of metadata, assessing information on educational status, linguistic background, language use across different social contexts (including exposure to English outside of school), as well as general and verbal cognitive abilities.

Info graphic about the YGLE research consisting of four blue boxes next to each other. The first box includes the heading '3 Locations' and the description 'Three German states, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia. The second box includes the heading '4 Grades' and the description 'ages in range 10-18, Grade 5, Grade 7, Grade 9, Grade 11'. The third box includes the heading '3 school types' and the description 'academic and vocational, Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, Abitur-track'. The fourth box includes the heading '2+ Groups' and the description 'Two or more separate groups or classes per school and grade'.
© Beth Stoddard
Graphic of tasks for the YGLE research: four numbered blue boxes next to each other. The first box includes a graphic of a lined sheet of paper and the description: In-class writing, written, planned, non-interactive. The second box includes a graphic of a comic and the description: oral picture description, spoken, unplanned, non-interactive. The third box includes a graphic of three people and the description: small group discussion, spoken, unplanned, interactive. The fourth box includes a graphic of a person using a phone and the description: digital communication, written (digital), unplanned interactive.
© Beth Stoddard

Project members

PD Dr. Valentin Werner (PI),  University of Bamberg

Dr. Anna Rosen (PI), University of Freiburg

Prof. Dr. Robert Fuchs (PI)

Dr. Lyudmila Kruhlenko (Researcher, University of Bamberg)

Lea Bracke, M.A. (Researcher, University of Bamberg)

Bethany Stoddard, M.A. (Researcher)

Julie Altemüller (University of Freiburg)

Julia Herr (University of Freiburg)

Sascha Sackniess (University of Freiburg)

Nastja Teichrib (University of Freiburg)

Valerie Graßow (University of Bamberg)

Analyses will focus on the triad of Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency (CAF), a popular focal point for mapping second language proficiency. By examining CAF components and their interactions with learner variables (e.g. motivation, educational status), this research will provide insights into second language acquisition within the German educational context.

After project completion, the database will be made available for the research community and will be one of only a few internationally available learner corpora of school students.
Read more about the project on our dedicated website.

Graphic of the analysis process of the YGLE research. On the left side there is a graphic of a piece of lined paper and the silhouette of a face titled learner variables. A curved blue arrow to the right leads to another graphic that consists of three intersecting blue circles with writing 'CAF' in the middle. A second curved blue arrow leads back to the first graphic.
© Beth Stoddard